Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Massachusetts Select Board Association will hold its annual Rural and Western Massachusetts Conference on Saturday, April 27, in Northampton. Speakers include (l-r) Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi, Sen. Joanne Comerford and Franklin Regional Council of Governments Executive Director Linda Dunlavy.
Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi will be the keynote speaker at the Massachusetts Select Board Association’s annual Rural and Western Massachusetts Conference on Saturday, April 27, in Northampton.
A former state senator representing communities in Worcester and Hampden counties, Gobi has a deep understanding of the challenges facing rural communities, as well as their unique needs. She was appointed to the newly created role by the Healey-Driscoll administration last June and works within the Executive Office of Economic Development.
Gobi will take questions following her presentation. She will be joined by Rural Programs Manager Mallory Sullivan from the Executive Office of Economic Development.
Following the keynote, a legislative panel focused on rural priorities will be led by Sen. Joanne Comerford, Franklin Regional Council of Governments Executive Director Linda Dunlavy, and MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman.
The meeting will conclude with a session on creative strategies for affordable housing, featuring panelists representing three regional housing organizations:
• Keith Fairey, executive director, Way Finders
• June Wolfe, housing director, Construct Berkshire
• Gina Govoni, executive director, Rural Development Inc.
Registration and breakfast will open at 8 a.m., and the program will begin at 8:30 and conclude at noon with a networking lunch.
The conference will be held at Hotel Northampton at 36 King St. in Northampton. The cost is $35.
More information, including a detailed agenda and registration link, will be available at www.mma.org and sent to MSA members in the coming weeks.